Lot 223: A powerful and fine Cross-River helmet mask

A powerful and fine Cross-River helmet mask, Ibo or Ejagham (Middle Cross River); Nigeria

The powerful Janus mask with three part coif, the outer sides with openwork carving; the Janus faces with remains of pigment; one with remains of a dusty white pigment in the recesses though overall dark brown no, raised scarification in small rows at the temples, and the cheeks incised with the Nsibidi symbol for Love, marriage and Unity; The other similarly carved but with concentric circles to the temples and small horizontal marks to the cheeks, perhaps an Nsibidi reference to disharmony, though possibly simply a scarification pattern. A fine old example of the type with excellent age and patina. H. 20 3/4"

Comments:
Property from a New York Estate

Provenance:
Alfred Schienberg, 1971, The Gallery of African Art. NY

Estimate: $2,200 - $3,200

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